Just because...

Our little monkey at 6 months old

Happy Birthday, Mom & Dad!

Grandma and Grandpa visited a week after their (shared) birthdays on August 28th.  

We were so happy to celebrate with them!  It was a big one this year too...a "milestone" birthday for my Dad.  But he didn't really want to be reminded of it so we won't mention it LOL.

Anyway, Dad helped Jeff take down some trees and limbs in the backyard, while Mom hung out and played with the baby.  We shared some meals (NOT CHICKEN...after 33 years I have finally realized my dad likes chicken only about once a week!!) and had some naps.

The baby loves to touch mouths and lips, and put his fingers in your mouth - so he LOVED to touch Dad's beard and play with his face.  It was seriously so cute :)

It was a great weekend of relaxing and spending time together!

Ethan at 6 months old

Where did the last 6 months go?!?  He is growing so fast, yes - cliche but true.  Moreover, we are finally starting to feel like ourselves again.  My post partum anxiety is better (not gone but better), Jeff is finding his groove as a SAHD, and Ethan is well, Ethan.

Mostly sunny, with a chance of severe thunderstorms

Loves to play

Starting to sit up like a big boy 

and not so sure about real food yet

We are venturing out and about more, and maybe - just maybe - starting to get the hang of this thing.  Of course as my mom reminds us - that means everything is just about to change.  But we'll ride the wave for now!!!

4th of July Family Vacation - Part 2

What happened to the past few months.  Seriously.  It seems like we were JUST on vacation for 4th of July (E was 4 months old)...and I am just now putting up pictures?!? #mommybloggerfail

First we had to survive the road trip across the state (6 hours from Sioux Falls to the cabin with minimal stops, made it an 8+ hour trip with the baby).  He did great until he melted down at Wall.  PS, there are no baby changing stations in the freaking bathrooms of the gas stations.

Before going all the way to the cabin, we stopped to have dinner with Jason and Bobbie at a sports bar.  Now, we don't let the baby watch TV but in a place like that it is inevitable.  He was in heaven.

Then onward to the cabin.  Aka the happiest place on earth.  We had a super wonderful time.  No visits to Mt. Rushmore.  No 1880 train rides.  No gambling in Deadwood.  We were just a family.

...cooking breakfast...eating together...playing with the baby...

...celebrating summer...more eating...grandma babysitting for the first time...

...spending time on the deck watching deer and playing with the baby...

.................And off roading............

#Butfirstletmetakeaselfie

...Spearfish Canyon Lodge, an old rail bed, snowmobile trails and beautiful overlooks...

...where we happened upon this terrifyingly steep waterfall that had no guardrails...

...even Ethan was indoctrinated (thanks Grandpa!!)...

...I love my family...

...and we were in God's Country for sure.